UNM Presidential Search Narrows to Five Finalists as Public Forums Commence

POLICY WIRE — Albuquerque, New Mexico — The University of New Mexico’s quest for its next leader has advanced to five distinguished finalists, who are now actively engaging with the campus community through a series of public forums.

These crucial public discussions, which commenced on Monday and are scheduled to continue throughout the week and into the upcoming month, offer faculty, students, and the broader public an invaluable opportunity to interact directly with the candidates. The chosen individual will assume the presidency following the tenure of incumbent Garnett Stokes.

Meet the Finalists for UNM President

The esteemed group of candidates vying for the top leadership position at UNM includes:

• Elizabeth “Liz” Watkins: Currently serving as Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor at the University of California, Riverside.
• Ashwani Monga: The Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer for the University System of Georgia.
• Eric L. Barker: Holds the position of Vice President for Health Affairs at Purdue University.
• Steven Goldstein: Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs at the University of California, Irvine.
• Eric Link: Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of North Dakota.

Stakeholder Concerns Highlighted in Public Dialogues

During these forums, vital issues impacting the university community have been brought to the forefront. One significant concern centers on graduate student compensation and living expenses.

Graduate Student Welfare: A Key Discussion Point

Dominic Oddo, a final-year Ph.D. student in UNM’s Department of Physics and Astronomy, voiced his concerns regarding the current stipend structure. He highlighted that a monthly stipend of $2,000 presents a considerable challenge for graduate students, especially given the escalating costs of housing, groceries, and other essential expenditures.

“We get paid as halftime workers, graduate students do but it’s our full-time stipend, right? So it’s important that we get paid a livable wage.”

Oddo further emphasized the indispensable role graduate students play, asserting their contribution to a substantial portion of teaching, grading for thousands of students, and attracting millions of dollars in funding for the university. He argued that their compensation should reflect this significant impact.

Addressing Staff Underpayment and Campus Safety

Concerns about adequate compensation are not exclusive to students. Damien Terrell, the current president of the Staff Council, articulated that many university staff members are also inadequately compensated. He pointed out that some lower-paid staff are barely above, or even fall below, current poverty thresholds, stressing the need to elevate wages to keep pace with inflation.

Campus safety has also emerged as a critical priority. Joseph Lane, the incoming Staff Council president, referenced recent incidents, including a shooting on campus last summer, that exposed communication gaps. He noted the confusion arising when the Main Campus was closed but the North Campus remained open, creating significant operational challenges.

The Staff Council has advocated for increased funding for various safety enhancements, including the deployment of drone footage at night. This technology would help identify areas requiring improved lighting and bolster overall campus security measures.

Forum Schedule Continues

The initial forum featured discussions with Elizabeth Watkins. The next candidate scheduled to address the community is Ashwani Monga, whose session will take place on Tuesday from 1:15-2:30 p.m. All public forums are being held at the Student Union Building Ballroom C, providing a consistent venue for these important dialogues.